DK, Udupi observe solemn Good Friday, tradition touches devotees

DK, Udupi observe solemn Good Friday, tradition touches devotees

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 31, 2018: The devotees congregated in large numbers in churches of various denominations across the districts. Fasting and a prayerful observance before the solemn evening passion liturgy in churches on Good Friday March 30 was a day palpably different in many ways.

While Mangaluru diocesan Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza took part in the ceremony in Rosario cathedral in Mangaluru, Udupi diocesan Bishop Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo took part in the religious ceremony organised at the Milagres Cathedral in Kallianpur near Udupi. Some churches along the coast, including Rosario Cathedral in the city, soon after the official prescribed liturgy ended, observed the age old traditional depiction of the Crucifiction homily and lowering the body from the cross, and solemn procession, see pictures.

Among the key religious ceremonies listed for the day in churches was the “Way of the Cross”. The 14 stations on Christ’s Journey to Mount Calvary from Roman governor Pilate’s palace were re-enacted with worshippers moving to each station singing hymns as the story of the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ were narrated by the priests.

The solemn church liturgy on Good Friday included the dramatised reading of the “Passion of the Cross” from the Gospel of St. John, followed by the veneration of the Cross and finally the distribution of communion.

With the completion of Good Friday, Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.